In the Classroom

In the Classroom

Small Learning Groups

Most education occurs within a classroom, and teachers and teaching assistants – who spend the most time with students – have a direct impact on student learning. This is why IPSF provides a significant amount of funding to the Irvine Unified School District to facilitate smaller learning groups, also called additional staffing hours, every year. These funds provide schools with greater flexibility in managing larger class sizes through the use of small learning groups.

Instructional assistants in elementary schools make it possible for teachers to work with students in smaller learning groups, which has proven to be incredibly effective. Through these smaller groups, teachers and instructional assistants can offer more personalized instruction to these groups by tailoring assignments based on skill level.

In middle and high schools, these funds provide staffing hours, enabling schools to add sections of core classes, including math and language arts. By adding sections, this reduces class sizes in key subject areas and provides students with a smaller learning environment.

The amount of classroom support funding provided to each school is determined by IUSD based on enrollment figures.

Researchers report that, regardless of the subject matter, students working in small groups tend to learn more of what is taught and retain it longer than when the same content is presented in other instructional formats.

Music

Music

In a time when most public school districts have eliminated school music programs, Irvine’s continues to thrive thanks to community support of IPSF.

IPSF fully funds the primary music program provided to students in kindergarten through third grade. This program provides students with a solid foundation in musical concepts in a fun, supportive environment. IPSF also provides funding for instructional assistants for the fourth-through-sixth grade instrumental music program, enabling a richer learning experience for students.

IPSF works together with the school district to ensure that each child in every school, TK-3rd grade, receives quality music education. Why? Because we know that early exposure to music promotes collaboration and communication skills, creativity, self-expression, leadership, and overall improved academic performance. Music is essential if we want to truly offer a world class and well-rounded education to our students.

Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness

The IPSF health and wellness initiative exists to ensure that each child in every IUSD school receives high quality school health services, regardless of their health insurance status or ability to pay. Since 2005, IPSF has maintained the health and wellness initiative as a high priority, so that all IUSD students can thrive and succeed in school.

A mounting body of evidence has established links between comprehensive school health programs and educational outcomes, indicating that healthier students attend school more often, perform better academically and are significantly less likely to engage in high-risk behaviors.

IPSF is working with IUSD, health experts, and community leaders to implement a comprehensive program to foster healthy and health-literate students. Current objectives include:

Increasing nursing staff at IUSD school sites. School nurses oversee the health of more than 32,000 IUSD students. In the 2014-2015 school year, IUSD’s has a staffing level of 13 IUSD school nurses and a student to nurse ratio of 2500:1. This effort is made possible through ongoing support from Hoag Hospital Irvine.

Supporting Athletic Trainers for IUSD Athletic Programs. Thanks to generous support from Hoag Orthopedic Institute, IPSF is providing support for 4 athletic trainers in the 2015-2016 school year. The major focus of the Athletic Trainer Service will be to identify risk factors, prevent injuries, provide appropriate medical treatment, including rehabilitative services and referral support, and detect and correct health problems directly related to athletic performance, such as concussion risks.

IPSF is working to continue our efforts and engage the medical community, local businesses and foundations, parents, institutions of higher education, and the City of Irvine to meet the health needs of the IUSD student population and those who serve them.

STEAM Education

In a rapidly changing global society, our students must be prepared to be creative, think strategically, and innovate. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) provides those skills while engaging students in hands-on learning that is both educational and exciting. Students who are involved in STEAM activities are more likely to thrive and succeed in school, and to pursue careers in STEAM fields.

The goal of IPSF’s STEAM Initiative is to engage the Irvine community in STEAM education so that all students have extensive opportunities to develop high interest in science and related relevant subject areas, in line with next generation Science Standards and the Irvine Unified School District’s strategic priorities. We seek to achieve this by supporting and offering programs that expose young learners to real-world applications and career exploration opportunities throughout their primary and secondary education, both inside and outside the classroom.

Our annual STEAM Carnival event is a creative twist on the traditional carnival, providing children of all ages with fun, hands-on activities in an interactive atmosphere to spark their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.

College Counseling Resources

IPSF is proud to support Naviance, a web-based counseling tool that supports personal, social and academic development as well as college and career planning. This tool is made available to IUSD students and their families beginning in middle school and is used continuously until graduation. Families can use this tool to develop course strategies, explore career options, and facilitate college knowledge and planning.

AT YOUR SCHOOL

IPSF is proud to provide nearly $5.5 million annually in grants and program support to Irvine Unified School District. See how your donations are used to make an impact in your local school.

Alderwood Elementary

At Alderwood, we are so grateful for the financial support provided by IPSF and how it positively impacts our students directly. Of our 15 instructional assistants, IPSF helps to fund seven of them, providing over 85 hours per week of added instructional support. Instructional assistants work with students across all grade levels TK-6 and all curriculum areas in small groups. These groups allow students to have more specialized and differentiated instruction and activities. We use IPSF funds to support programs at Alderwood that provide enrichment opportunities to our students including the ACE afterschool program and our Summer Enrichment program, which provide our students with educational experiences that they may not otherwise be able to have.

In addition, IPSF has been an integral partner in supporting innovation at our school. Alderwood was awarded two separate IPSF Innovation Grants last year, including one to build an Innovation Lab on site. This lab will promote creativity, design, and collaboration for all students in a 21st century STEAM learning environment. The second grant was to promote flexible seating and a makerspace for an inventive classroom setting.

Thank you IPSF for your amazing partnership and support!

Kelli Cheshire

Principal, Alderwood Elementary School

Beacon Park K-8

The support of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation has a significant impact at Beacon Park for student support. The instructional assistant allocation provided by IPSF allows Beacon Park teachers the support to ensure that students’ needs are being met. For example, instructional assistants run large group activities in our 4th through 6th grade classes so that the classroom teachers can meet with small groups of students to build and enrich math and reading skills. In addition to academic support, one of our IPSF instructional aides leads small study groups and organization seminars to build student independence. At the primary level, they lead writing interventions and reading groups to build decoding and encoding skills, fluency, and comprehension.

Our IPSF allocation for our Middle School allows us to add a year-long elective to our instructional program. In addition to our music electives, we’re able to provide Yearbook, ASB Leadership, Video Production, and STEM-based Career/Technical Education classes for our sixth and seventh graders.

We’re grateful for the support and enhancements IPSF allows us to provide for our students.

Bob Curley

Principal, Beacon Park School

Bonita Canyon Elementary

At Bonita Canyon, we are so thankful for our partnership with IPSF. We are able to staff our school with even more classroom support thanks to their generosity. By enabling us to hire more instructional assistants, IPSF supports our initiatives of lowering the effective class size and giving our students more individualized attention. We also run a successful ACE program at our school. Our ACE program gives our students the chance to enrich their education in ways they may not get without IPSF’s support. Thank you IPSF for your partnership in providing the highest quality educational experience we can envision. Go BC Bears!!

Corey Pace

Principal, Bonita Canyon Elementary School

Brywood Elementary

At Brywood, IPSF classroom support funds employ five part-time instructional assistants who assist in teaching a diverse population of students in Kindergarten thought 6th grade. The instructional aide support has a positive impact on all facets of student learning in both English Language Arts and Math. In addition, Brywood’s students continue to thrive and development their individual talents due to the unique enrichment opportunities IPSF provides through their music, science and summer programs. We are ever so thankful for IPSF’s unending support!

Astrid Ramirez

Principal, Brywood Elementary School

Canyon View Elementary

Because of IPSF, our TK – 3rd grade students receive high quality primary music instruction every other week. The teachers are trained and credentialed music specialists who bring knowledge, joy, and passion for the Arts into the classroom. If you walk into a music class at Canyon View you will see students singing, playing instruments, moving around, and expressing themselves creatively. These classes instill a love for Music in our students that will help them succeed in school.

Christina Giguiere

Principal, Canyon View Elementary School

College Park Elementary

At College Park Elementary School, IPSF adds support into our classrooms through instructional assistants. Our teachers in Irvine are so fortunate to have aides who help during our WIN time (Whatever I Need), pulling small groups of students who need extra instruction, or supporting the rest of the class while teachers pull the small groups. With these trained aides, teachers are able to meet the needs of all students with more individualized attention, whether their students need extra support or extra challenge in the areas of reading, writing, math, learning English, or other curricular areas.

Meg Gwyn

Principal, College Park Elementary School

Creekside High School

IPSF has provided tremendous support for our student programs at Creekside Education Center. One of the many programs IPSF supports is our afterschool Creekside Community Leadership Academy which operates in conjunction with the City of Irvine Youth Action Team. This program runs 3 days per week and includes a community speaker series as well as opportunities for students to provide volunteer service in the community. Additionally, IPSF helps support our student recognition activities and events. Without the support of IPSF, these programs would not be possible.

Rebecca Roberts

Principal, Creekside High School

Culverdale Elementary

We at Culverdale are extremely appreciative that IPSF understands the holistic development of students, by providing opportunities for all of our students to participate in visual arts, performing arts, intra-city sports leagues, Afterschool Classroom Enrichment (ACE) programs, and hands-on enhanced 21st century classroom learning experiences.

In addition to providing funds for instructional assistants in all classrooms and STEAM tools for students TK-6, IPSF and its parent donors like you have made it possible for Culverdale to have Dash & Dot global competition teams for ages 6-12, Minecraft Clubs for grades 2-6 after school, and for all students to have the opportunity to create and 3D-print their own CAD project.

David Burke

Principal, Culverdale Elementary School

Cypress Village Elementary

Cypress Village is incredibly thankful for the continuous support IPSF provides to student enrichment and learning. By using IPSF class size reduction funds, we are able to provide teachers and students with instructional assistants through TK – 6th grade classes. With instructional assistants, students are able to be instructed in smaller groups, providing more opportunities for hands on learning, and receiving both re-teaching and enrichment learning opportunities. We are also very fortunate to be the recipient of IPSF’s Mega Innovation Grant of $20,000. This generous grant has allowed us to transform our Innovation Lab (ilab) into a STEAM lab which will be used by all students to foster creativity and innovation. IPSF programs provide enrichment and creative learning opportunities that allow students to extend their educational experiences beyond the classroom; developing thinking and reasoning skills that support whole child development.

Carla Beal

Principal, Cypress Village Elementary School

Deerfield Elementary

IPSF has made an incredible impact in supporting the needs of Deerfield’s students. This past year our kindergarten team earned a $20,000 IPSF grant to renovate classrooms with innovative furniture, allowing our kids to physically and actively engage in learning throughout the day. IPSF also supports our 1st-6th grades, funding instructional aides who support lower class size ratios for targeted intervention time with students. We are incredibly grateful for their support!

Julie Hatchel

Principal, Deerfield Elementary School

Early Childhood Learning Center

ECLC has been supported by IPSF through the innovative teacher grant program, and received grants every year we have participated! IPSF grants have supported teachers in their ongoing quest to deepen and extend student learning in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways in order to lay the foundation for ongoing learning. In addition, we have received support though Visual and Performing Arts funding, supported by IPSF, to explore creativity in the arts at preschool. The money has supported professional learning for teachers, and this year, we plan to continue to explore creativity and use our IPSF monies to support ongoing training with teachers.

Robin Hunter

Principal, Early Childhood Learning Center

Eastshore Elementary

The greatest contribution IPSF makes to our site is the funding to hire qualified instructional assistants for grades K-6 as well as to provide professional development for these employees. IA’s are able to reduce class size by supporting teachers during core instruction. IPSF also supports our primary music program, which provides bi-monthly music instruction for our K-3 students. We are fortunate to house ACE classes at Eastshore, which provide extraordinary afterschool experiences for our students such as chess and robotics.

Lisa Kadam

Principal, Eastshore Elementary School

Eastwood Elementary

IPSF was an amazing partner in helping to develop an innovation lab at Culverdale that many schools in Irvine have used as inspiration to redesign their own spaces. Even though many of the items in these innovative spaces are above and beyond what one would expect to find in an elementary school, IPSF recognizes the importance of providing students opportunities to explore. They already funded a grant I wrote for Eastwood to jump start our vision of moving investigation and “maker spaces” into the classrooms! Thank you IPSF!

Aaron Jetzer

Principal, Eastwood Elementary School

Greentree Elementary

IPSF funds over 42 hours of classroom support for the staff and students at Greentree Elementary School each week. Classroom support equates to additional people, in the form of instructional assistants (IA’s), four in our case, who work directly with our students. With this additional support, our students’ individual needs are better met due to smaller group/class sizes for at least one hour each day, five days/week in the core subject area of Reading/Language Arts. Outside of this support, IPSF goes above and beyond to touch the lives of each and every student at Greentree through programs such as K-6 music, ACE afterschool enrichment programs like our annual musical production, and via grants they provide for innovative initiatives by staff. IPSF does amazing things for all of our stakeholders!

Tamara J. Brown

Principal, Greentree Elementary School

Irvine High School

IPSF has been an instrumental partner with IUSD and Irvine High School. School wide their investment in our students through their support of Naviance has allowed us to enhance our counseling program and has provided a value-added resource that assists our students with their high school and post high school plans. The safety and wellbeing of our student-athletes has increased with IPSF’s support of a Certified Athletic Trainer. Our Athletic Trainer is available daily to help support, treat, and educate our student-athletes about their injuries so that they can get back to their playing field safely. Through IPSF’s support we are able to offer a Homework Club afterschool where all students can come and access additional support for their academic needs. Thank you IPSF!

Monica Colunga Ed.D.

Principal, Irvine High School

Jeffrey Trail Middle School

Funds from IPSF benefit our students by enabling us to offer academic enrichment courses both during summer and the school year. Their programs allow students to explore their interests as well as reinforce their learning in core curricular areas.

IPSF runs Afterschool Classroom Enrichment programs (ACE) and Summer Enrichment Academy programs, and our students also participate in Tournament of Champions, sponsored by IPSF. We field boy’s and girl’s teams of both grades.

At Jeffrey Trail, our students are fortunate to benefit from the support of IPSF in a variety of ways!

Michael Georgino

Principal, Jeffrey Trail Middle School

Lakeside Middle School

At Lakeside, we are so grateful for IPSF’s continued support which allows us to run additional classes in areas of critical need. Specifically, we used the funds to offer a mathematics intervention class for students who struggle with math and to partially fund a study skills intervention class. Neither of these would be possible without the support that IPSF gives us. It makes a huge difference for our students as they prepare for high school and beyond.

Gina Cuneo

Principal, Lakeside Elementary School

Meadow Park Elementary

Meadow Park Elementary School is extremely appreciative of the continued support of IPSF to strengthen our instructional programs. With the assistance of IPSF, we currently have instructional assistants in every grade level, kindergarten through six, five days a week.

Specifically, the funds of IPSF have allowed for small group instruction in both Language Arts and math. Additionally, this year Meadow Park will be embarking on What Is Needed (WIN) Time. It may be a sixth grade GATE student who is exploring a new research topic or a group of first grade students needing assistance with their non-fiction writing assignment, it is imperative for the success of our students to be grouped accordingly.

To have IPSF assist our students and teachers with the resources to meet the needs of all of our students is greatly appreciated.

Thomas Potwora

Principal, Meadow Park

Northwood Elementary

IPSF is an essential partner to Northwood Elementary. Funding provided through IPSF allows us to employ highly qualified instructional assistants to provide students with individualized instruction. ACE Afterschool Programs provide Northwood students with the opportunity to pursue their passion for learning beyond the classroom. IPSF is a valued partner in our commitment to provide the highest quality education we can envision.

Janelle Kellar

Principal, Northwood Elementary School

Northwood High School

NHS has been able to keep class sizes for freshmen level courses such as English, History, Science and Math low through the support from IPSF. The Athletic Trainers that are funded by IPSF are vital! They not only are the first aid responders, they follow up with injured athletes and their parents. Our students’ safety and wellness remain a priority thanks to this support!

IPSF has also been a tremendous support for our CubeStat project. This is a unique opportunity for our students to work together across schools in an industry standard project. The teamwork at the schools as well as between the schools has brought learning for these students to a whole new level.

Leslie Roach, Ed.D.

Principal, Northwood High School

Oak Creek Elementary

At Oak Creek Elementary, IPSF funds are used to hire instructional assistants (I.A.s) to support leveled reading instruction (referred to as RTI). This occurs 3-4 times per week in all grade levels. By strategically pushing one or two I.A.s into certain classrooms, we are better able to facilitate student rotations, which effectively reduce the adult to student ratio by two thirds. In addition to RTI support, I.A.s are utilized to cover classes while teachers across a grade level are released to participate in their Professional Learning Communities, which focus on improving learning outcomes via responsive and intentional instructional practices. Beyond the vital support provided by I.A.s, Oak Creek Elementary students continue to benefit from the incredible enrichment opportunities offered by IPSF via the ACE, SEA, and Primary Music Program. We are grateful to IPSF for their continued investment in the youth of Irvine.

Carlo Grasso

Principal, Oak Creek Elementary

Plaza Vista K-8

Before I applied for the job here as the principal, I asked a family friend whose son attends Plaza Vista, “How does the school make you feel?” She told me, “In kindergarten, he was still learning how to read. I would pack him a small note in his snack every day. And a teacher would read that note to him. Everyday.” Once I got the job, I found out that the “teacher” she was referring to was an instructional assistant paid for by IPSF. Not only does IPSF help us have world-class achieving students, but IPSF is an important part of the fabric of the Irvine and IUSD culture. My wife and I are thrilled to be IUSD alumni, Irvine residents, and have our children attend IUSD schools where IPSF is a critical partner in every student’s success.

James Parker

Principal, Plaza Vista Elementary School

Portola High School

As a brand new school, people assume we have everything we need. No one can argue that we have a beautiful facility, however, the most important work we do is in the classroom with the teacher. IPSF is instrumental in providing funding for us to help run a couple of extra classes that normally our enrollment would not allow us to support. Because of that, students have more access to electives and classes they are passionate about.

Another key component for us has been the support of our athletic trainer. The partnership with IPSF has added a layer of safety, injury prevention and treatment to over half of our student body.

Finally, our school is very excited to participate in the CubeSat program. Students in that program have enjoyed collaborating with other students and professionals in the field to ultimately play an active part in the launching of an actual satellite into space. Incredible!

John Pehrson

Principal, Portola High School

Portola Springs Elementary

It is through the generous financial support of IPSF that we are able to provide opportunities for small group instruction throughout your child’s day. Many of our instructional assistants are funded through IPSF including Ms. Zennedine, who serves 1st-3rd grade, Mrs. Thome who serves 4th-6th Grade, and Ms. Gutierrez who serves students throughout our campus. Without them, students wouldn’t get the small group experiences that more specifically target their individual needs.

Megan Bricker

Principal, Portola Springs Elementary School

Rancho San Joaquin Middle School

With IPSF’s support, Rancho was able to add Science sections to our master schedule, which reduced our average Science class size to 30 students. You can imagine the positive impact a smaller class size has on teaching and learning – especially in a class that requires groups to get “hands on” experiences through labs and simulations. Thank you IPSF!

Mike Modeer

Principal, Rancho San Joaquin Middle School

Santiago Hills Elementary

Our classroom support funds are used to support reading instruction in smaller groups. The instructional flexibility that it allows for learning has a tremendous impact on our students. Our five instructional aides support RTI in various grade levels from TK-6 and general classroom support in others. Our instructional aides have an important role in allowing each student’s voice and thinking to be heard and making the lessons more accessible through small group support. With instructional aides in the classroom, our teacher to student ratios go from 30-32 students per teacher to 15-17 students per teacher, allowing for differentiation, targeted instruction, and reduced behavior challenges.

Dr. Michele Ogden

Principal, Santiago Hills Elementary School

Sierra Vista Middle School

Thanks to the support of IPSF, Sierra Vista students have smaller class sizes in their core classes; receive instruction from our guidance counselors on using the Naviance program which allows each student to begin their college and career exploration and self-discovery; and students have the opportunity to participate in the ACE afterschool program which continues to thrive due to the unique and interesting course options provided by IPSF teachers and specialists. Our IPSF partners are the best!

Lynn Matassarin, Ed. D.

Principal, Sierra Vista Middle School

Springbrook Elementary

Irvine Public Schools Foundation adds immeasurable value to the educational experience of our Springbrook students. From the ongoing support of the instrumental music program, which was sustained through the recession when other districts had cut their programs, to the foundation taking ownership of the Tournament of Champions, IPSF helps make our overall school culture whole and well-rounded. Our instructional assistants are also a valued and integral part of our instructional program. They provide classroom support and small group instruction for all students in K-6, as well as for students in need of targeted interventions. Instructional assistants help provide differentiation for various student learning levels so that our students can maximize their achievement. From the curricular, to the “extra” curricular, IPSF is a tremendous support to our Springbrook program!

Sunny Shen

Principal, Springbrook Elementary School

South Lake Middle School

At South Lake Middle School, we are extremely fortunate to benefit from the financial support of IPSF. All students directly benefit from a decrease in class size due to funding provided from IPSF. In addition, through the Innovative Grants Program for teachers and counselors, South Lake has been able to bring new, advanced curriculum and programs to our students that support academic growth and emotional wellbeing.

Belinda Averill

Principal, South Lake Middle School

Stone Creek Elementary

Funding from IPSF provides for instructional assistants that impact our students’ access to the educational program each day during the school year in multiple grade levels from K-6. They engage students in small groups, providing reinforcement of reading skills and re-teaching of challenging math concepts. Additionally, they reduce the ratio in classrooms during WIN (What I Need) time so that students can be engaged in activities unique to their needs including enrichment, practice and re-teaching. Our instructional assistants are integral members of our school wide positive behavioral system, engaging with our students in a positive way across our campus on a daily basis. Their impact is not only academic but relational and we couldn’t provide the same level of support to our students without them.

Jenna Berumen

Principal, Stone Creek Elementary School

Stonegate Elementary

IPSF provides support that benefits each and every student at Stonegate. Through IPSF funds, we are able to increase instructional support personnel in grades K-6 to assist in RTI, provide small-group interventions, and implement enrichment activities for students. Additionally, this past year Stonegate was awarded two innovative grants through IPSF. Our upper grade science lab teacher was presented with the funding to purchase different robotic devices which has allowed hands-on engineering practices that pair nicely with the use of 3D printers. Our 5th and 6th grade yoga teacher also received a grant and is implementing a mindfulness program through the lens of physical education including positive self-awareness, kindness, healthy eating, and strategies to reduce anxiety and depression.

Harmony Briscoe Principal, Stonegate Elementary School

Turtle Rock Elementary

With IPSF’s support, we have been able to place additional instructional aides at each grade level for additional support, or Response to Instruction (RTI). These instructional assistants help to reduce our student to teacher ratio during critical learning times. Also with IPSF support, Turtle Rock has a very large and successful Afterschool Classroom Enrichment Program (ACE). These classes extend the learning day and provide choices for students who would like to explore specialized interests. The class offerings include athletics, fine arts, engineering, biomedical…and many more! As a result of our successful ACE Program, Turtle Rock is eligible for an additional $2,000 grant from IPSF to fund a special program or need at school.

Jeremy Stonebarger

Principal, Turtle Rock Elementary School

University High School

As our school staff attempts to construct programs and classes that meet the needs of a growing variety of student learners, the funding provided by IPSF is crucial. The opportunities that IPSF provides have a significant and long-lasting impact on students.

IPSF funding allows us to serve kids in several ways at Uni including:

We can offer specialty courses to meet the unique needs of certain learners – even when the classes are small.

We have a qualified athletic trainer that provides a crucial level of safety for our student athletes who push themselves hard throughout the year.

The ongoing support of our CubeSat program has allowed our students to access activities and projects that were unimaginable just a short time ago.

In addition, our music program received a major IPSF grant. Music Director Corey Heddon describes the impact: “The IPSF grant we received has improved and expanded our curriculum and membership. The funds dedicated to replacing instruments have allowed students to perform on quality instruments to improve the experience of the entire ensemble. The funds for new instruments have allowed us to teach new types of music, like the African drumming and dancing the percussionists performed at our Spring Concert last year. The resources dedicated to outreach have allowed us to refine our message and recruit more members to the band program. This grant has had so much direct impact to the students of the University High School Band program.”

We hope you continue to support IPSF because of all the ways they improve learning for our kids.

Kevin Astor, Ed.D.

Principal, University High School

University Park Elementary

Through the generosity of IPSF, University Park is able to provide teachers and students with over 60 hours a week of instructional aid support in our classrooms (TK-6th grade). With additional support in the classroom, teachers have the time to provide students with enrichment opportunities and support students who may need more instruction in reading, math, or English language development.

Molly Daley

Principal, University Park Elementary School

Venado Middle School

Funds from IPSF help us reduce our average class sizes across the master schedule and are greatly appreciated. In addition, we utilize the Naviance Counseling Program as a tool for students to self-explore college and career resources and opportunities.

Luis Torres

Principal, Venado Middle School

Vista Verde K-8

At Vista Verde, we’ve felt the impact of IPSF most strongly in classroom support for K-8 with the instructional aide allocations. Our music program, as a K-8, serves so many students so well! IPSF’s support of the visual and performing arts—particularly support for the instructional assistant that works directly with our music teachers, allows us to maximize teacher instructional contact with students. Additionally, IPSF’s support for Afterschool Classroom Enrichment (ACE) Classes gives students and parents an opportunity to access quality classes in a variety of enrichment areas. Thank you, IPSF!

Jerry Vlasic

Principal, Vista Verde School

Westpark Elementary

IPSF makes a great impact at Westpark. In the area of core reading, class sizes are lowered through the support of additional instructional assistants. The arts are enhanced through additional music teachers and instructional assistants. Enrichment is made available during afterschool ACE classes in a variety of areas. The students of Westpark benefit from IPSF’s support throughout the school day and beyond!

Deanna Rutter

Principal, Westpark Elementary School

Woodbridge High School

Having a 6 period day can limit student access to courses at Woodbridge High School. Prior to registration this year we had multiple Honors, Advanced Placement, and unique electives with waitlists as there were simply not enough sections to allow all students access. Through the additional staffing made possible through IPSF funds, Woodbridge High School entered the first day of registration without a waitlist for any course. This was the first time we’ve done so in over 10 years!

Christopher Krebs

Principal, Woodbridge High School

Woodbury Elementary

The contributions and support Woodbury receives from IPSF are invaluable. Because the funds have allowed us to have instructional assistant support in every grade, students receive increased direct instruction and personal academic coaching from qualified instructors daily. Additionally, through IPSF’s facilitation of the ACE program, we are able to offer our students a wide range of afterschool programs like performing in a musical, running with our Mustang Miler Club, producing live newscasts through IUSD TV, or Lego engineering to engage their mind, experience something new, or develop their talents. I know of no other school district in Orange County offering these kinds of student opportunities on such an advanced level.